Bottom's up, San Clemente: It's Brew Fest

Beer will flow as San Clemente's Micro-Brew Fest is back for its third year and will feature more than 32 beer selections from 16 area breweries. More than 750 people are expected to turn out Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Left Coast Brewery at 1245 Puerta Del Sol.

"Ever since I came into the company, I've always wanted to put on a beer fest," said Left Coast's General Manager Tommy Hadjis.

This year's festival is expected to draw more beer lovers than the previous years because Left Coast Brewery and the fest itself are becoming more popular, Hadjis said.

Several other area breweries, including San Clemente microbrewery and restaurant Pizza Port, will participate in the microbrew fest. Pizza Port is preparing some of its special brews named after San Clemente, such as its El Camino IPA and SC Chronic beers. It might be out-of-towners' first taste of these beers, which are exclusive to Pizza Port and aren't sold in stores.

Casey Hendrix, Pizza Port's bar manager, said the beers finish brewing just a day or so before the festival.

"When we take that beer to the festival it will be the freshest there," Hendrix said.

Fourteen microbreweries not located in San Clemente will also take part in the beer celebration including several from Orange County and a few from San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.

The money raised by the festival will benefit military welcome-home events, according to Lynn Wood, chief executive of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce, which is helping coordinate the event.

Last year the event raised about $11,000, and Hadjis said with the expected increase in attendance, organizers hope to raise $15,000.

While the event starts at noon, only VIPs will be admitted before 1 p.m. But Hadjis said getting to the festival early is smart.

"I would recommend you buy VIP tickets because you get a chance to tour our brewer and try the VIP beers," he said. But, he added, festivalgoers can arrive "around noon to wait in line to get in first to hit up breweries you really want to try."

While there are only two San Clemente breweries participating, Hadjis and Hendrix say San Clemente's microbrew scene is catching on and the brew fest, as well as Pizza Port's Hoptober fest in October, are big reasons for the beer buzz in the city.

"(Brew Fest) educates south Orange County on how good beer is being brewed right here," Hadjis said.

There will be security at the event, but organizers say they have never had problems with the crowd becoming too rowdy because most people are there to try all of the beers and have a good time.

Taxis will be available outside the parking lot during and after the event.